At the time of his departure, Fekitoa described the move as the \u201chardest decision\u201d of his life. With the benefit of hindsight, he now calls it the \u201cbest decision\u201d he has ever made.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first it was quite scary, and I didn\u2019t know if I\u2019d made the right decision to leave New Zealand,\u201d Fekitoa told the Herald.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s been one of the best decisions I\u2019ve ever made. Probably the best thing to come out of it is my family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been here eight years now. I\u2019ve grown a lot, I understand the game better and I have a different approach. I also get to enjoy life off the field and experience different cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benetton, based in Treviso in Italy\u2019s northeast, have been owned by fashion brand Benetton Group since 1979 and its venture into sport also includes backing a Formula One team during the 1990s, when Michael Schumacher won his first world championships.<\/p>\n
Benetton are one of just two professional rugby clubs in the country and they compete in the United Rugby Championship (URC), alongside teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and South Africa, and also feature in European competition against clubs from England and France.<\/p>\n
While football remains Italy\u2019s dominant sport, Fekitoa has noticed a growing interest in rugby, fuelled by the improvement of both the domestic game and the national side.<\/p>\n
He believes the inclusion of South African teams in the URC has played a major role in lifting standards and interest across the competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like the old Super Rugby,\u201d Fekitoa said. \u201cThat\u2019s why the URC is growing so fast and becoming one of the best competitions \u2013 it\u2019s five nations in one. \u201cEvery team has a different style, so you have to adapt every week. It\u2019s hard at times, but it\u2019s fun and great to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had that experience in Super Rugby. Touring South Africa for a couple of weeks was one of the best challenges, and it brings back memories every time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another noticeable shift since Fekitoa moved north has been the increased Pacific presence in European rugby.<\/p>\n
Where players once predominantly headed to New Zealand or Australia to begin their professional journeys, many are now moving directly from the Islands to Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pathways are very different now,\u201d Fekitoa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of guys are coming over straight after school and starting their development here. It\u2019s great to see opportunities being offered and clear pathways for players to experience something different from back home.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real mix of cultures and experiences, with players from all over the world competing in this competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since Fekitoa\u2019s arrival, Benetton have enjoyed a sustained period of success, posting winning records over the past three seasons and pushing many of the top sides in the URC and across Europe.<\/p>\n
That success has also coincided with a rise in interest in rugby more broadly in Italy, underlined by recent results from the national team.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Italy drew with France and beat Scotland, while last year they recorded victories over Wales and the Wallabies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot more people coming to the games now, and you can feel the buzz around town compared to when I first arrived,\u201d Fekitoa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore people recognise the boys, especially with how well we\u2019ve been doing. We\u2019ve been winning in Europe against some big teams too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great for Italian rugby. It\u2019s growing fast, and it\u2019s a lovely place to play, on and off the field. The culture is unbelievable \u2013 the food and the people are amazing.”<\/p>\n
Malakai Fekitoa of Tonga poses for a portrait during the Tonga Rugby World Cup 2023 Squad photocall. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, one remaining ambition for Fekitoa is to play at a second Rugby World Cup for Tonga \u2013 and his third overall \u2013 next year in Australia.<\/p>\n
Drawn alongside England, Wales and Zimbabwe, he believes Tonga have a genuine chance of progressing from their pool.<\/p>\n
But he is adamant he will only be involved if he feels he can contribute meaningfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be 35 by then, and I want to make sure my body is right and that I\u2019m good for the job,\u201d Fekitoa said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to take anyone\u2019s spot if I\u2019m not good enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m doing well here at Benetton and hopefully that continues. If I\u2019m in good form, I\u2019ll make myself available for selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying for Tonga has always been a huge honour for me and my family. Representing the All Blacks was a dream that once felt impossible, but with the help of a lot of people, it became possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow there\u2019s another opportunity with Tonga at a World Cup. If I\u2019m good enough, I\u2019d be proud to represent them again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before then, Fekitoa is weighing up his future, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
He has made 41 appearances for Benetton and values the balance and lifestyle Italy offers, but acknowledges the decision carries extra weight, as it could be his final contract before retirement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still a lot of rugby I want to play and goals I want to chase,\u201d Fekitoa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut with a young family, I have to think about what\u2019s most important and what\u2019s best for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the next few months, I\u2019ll decide what\u2019s best and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n